Problem-Based Learning Program for Civil Engineering

TitleProblem-Based Learning Program for Civil Engineering
Faculty/College/UnitApplied Science
StatusCompleted
Duration1 Year
Initiation04/01/2003
Completion03/31/2004
Project Summary

The objective of this project is to provide students with a new learner-centred and project-driven education opportunity that exposes them to a hands-on and multi-disciplinary approach to problem solving in engineering practice. The aim is to infuse excitement into the students' learning experience and to confront them with real-life situations at the midpoint of their program by increasing their exposure to design issues, engineering practice, and the interdisciplinary nature of civil engineer practice, while enhancing their communication and collaboration skills.

Although the long-term objectives are clear, we do not have the current capacity to pursue such an approach directly. The immediate objective, therefore, is to carry out a pilot project through which we can evaluate and plan our longer-term vision for project-based learning in civil engineering.

The methodology is to carry out a pilot study for project-based learning by combining three core courses in the third year of the civil engineering program into one integrated package, and three core courses in the fourth year into a second package. The course packages will be structured around projects and the inter-dependencies of the course content material will be emphasized. The main differences between current practice and the proposed approach are:

  • Formalized and well-supported group project work
  • Development of integrated and group-project-oriented learning materials
  • Training of faculty in project-based learning issues
Funding Details
Year 1: Project YearYear 1
Year 1: Funding Year2003/2004
Year 1: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 1: Principal InvestigatorThomas Froese
Year 1: Funded Amount25,000
Year 1: Team Members

Thomas Froese, Civil Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science
P. Adebar, Civil Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science
N. Banthia, Civil Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science
J. Howie, Civil Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science
B. Lence, Civil Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science
S. Nesbitt, Civil Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science
H. Prion, Civil Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science